Opener Rohit Sharma countering Trent Boult’s incoming deliveries will make for a fascinating contest, something that Virender Sehwag will be looking forward to during the World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand, starting in Southampton on June 18.
Sehwag, who redefined the art of opening batting in Test cricket, feels that Rohit’s qualities and recent form at the top of the order certainly makes him a candidate to succeed during the six Test matches in England this summer.
“No doubt Trent Boult-Tim Southee combination will pose a lot of challenge for Indians. They can move the ball both ways and are brilliant while bowling in partnerships also,” Sehwag said.
“Boult vs Rohit Sharma will be a contest that I would be looking forward to. If Rohit gets set and see off Boult’s opening spell, it will be a treat to watch,” feels one of India’s greatest match winners.
While this would be Rohit’s first shot at opening in English conditions, the experience of playing Tests in 2014 will certainly help him.
“Rohit is a fantastic batsman and he has played Test cricket in England earlier also (2014) so I think he can manage well as we have seen in recent times when he has opened the batting. I have no doubt that he will score runs in England this time.
“Obviously, as it is for any opener, he would have to be careful for the first 10 overs and see off that new ball to understand the conditions first. I am sure he will get a chance to show his range of strokes,” said the man, who has scored more than 8000 Test runs.
Sehwag also believes that rather than going in with four pacers, India should go with two spinners in their five-man bowling line-up as it would also strengthen their lower middle-order batting.
“I don’t how the wicket would look like on June 18th but one thing I have always believed is that you need to play to your strengths. If India can play with five specialist bowlers that will be great thing because I still believe that two spinners will come into effect on fourth and fifth day.
“Two spinners will be good for India because both Ashwin and Jadeja are capable all-rounders. That also adds depth to your batting. You don’t need a sixth batsman with both of them around.”
Sehwag also wants Pant to bat the way he knows and not get bogged down by too much analysis and dissection about technique and temperament needed to be successful in England.
